Kumihimo Video Tutorial

I’ve spent the last few weeks doing some kumihimo braiding, and I have been having fun. I dug out my two existing books, then got three more to boot. Not to mention a ton more silk and satin for braiding! And yes, I have even make a kumihimo video tutorial!

So Many Braids…

I’ve been experimenting with a lot of materials, textures and cord sizes. All of the braids to the right are using the same braid pattern, except for the braid that is second to the left. Otherwise, the only differences are colors and cord sizes (and of course, the way I set up my colors on the foam disk).

I’ve been making these braids into necklaces as well; you see, I have a lot of pendants, especially of the beaded cabochon kind, and many of them really need a more substantial necklace to balance them out. I have found that kumihimo works up much faster than traditional beading stitches, so after completing a pendant, it’s a soothing cool-down to make the braid to go with it.

Time for the Kumihimo Video Tutorial

If you’re wanting to learn to make braids, here is a quick kumihimo video tutorial for you. The supplies you will need are as follows:

1 twist-tie (you can also substitute a piece of wire or a piece of string). I use this to tie my cords in the middle, and so my four 60-inch cords become eight 30 inch cords.

1 piece of string, about 1 foot long.

Now obviously you can use any colors you want; I just used 4 different colors so that you could see the progression around the disk. I tend to use 2 or three colors, but one of these days I am going to experiment with 5 or more colors to see what happens, LOL.

I’m showing you the most basic stitch, which is what I used on most of the braids in the photo at the top of this post. You can get all kinds of looks from it, though, just by varying the materials, colors and thicknesses.

Thanks for your kind words — I am glad you liked the video. The bumpy look is so easy — it’s just using different weghts of the satin cord! For example, I like the look of using the rattail (3mm in diameter of satin courd) with bugtail (a little over 1 mm), By making 2 of the strands a lot thinner in size, you get the textured effect.

Another great combination is using a rattail or moustail (2 mm) cord with Chinese knotting cord (less than 1 mm). Not only are the two kinds of cords a different texture themselves (Chinese knotting cord has a braided look and feel), they make a lovely kumihimo braid.

Hi,
I saw your video and decided to try. And I get it, I have a wonderfull necklace. My teenager daughter ask me to do a bracelet and that an evidence !!!!! that your video is great.
Jéroise from france